Rocksteady Collective

With the 18th annual Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival just over a month away, we are pleased to announce the continuation of the Rocksteady Collective for it's 7th consecutive year. This exhibition is our visual arts component to the festival. This year's Rocksteady Collective will feature many artists, with a variety of mediums. This will be the very first year the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival will feature fusion belly dancing.

VenueWe are excited to be holding this year's gallery for the second consecutive year at The Odd Fellows Hall, home of the prestigious Odd Fellows. Completed in 1897, this unique building was designed by the same architect as City Hall, and offers a timeless atmosphere.

WorkshopsThis year Odd Fellows will be the location for both our The Skints and Shauit workshops this year. You will have an opportunity to check out our art gallery should you decide to attend one of these free workshops.

Special MentionsWe are proud to once again welcome back Verse to the Rocksteady Collective's list of artists. His murals show a unique blend of portrait street art and wild style graffiti, and are always a festival favourite. Verse is known for his amazing portrait murals of such artists as Toots & The Maytals, Mos Def, Barrington Levy, and Booker T. Jones.

We would like to welcome back Warren Smith, who joined us last year for the first time, and created a stunning sketch portrait of Dub FX. Many often mistake Smith's incredibly detailed work for photography.

Rocksteady Collective is bringing back artistic Chef Eric Holden (Gourmet Munchies) to once again bring you complimentary culinary creations with a cultural flare. Last year Holden's delectable treats featured seared kangaroo, Jamaican jerk wings, and vegan tomato essence agar agar cubes. Be sure to catch this year's features at our Rocksteady Launch Party.

We are excited to feature aboriginal artist Francis Dick for the first time this year. Hailing from the Kwakwaka'wakw nation, Francis combines traditional influences from the art of her people in contemporary painting, as well as woodwork, glasswork, and metalwork.

Your host for the evening will be none other than the festival's Rocksteady Collective Coordinator, Sean "Flynch" Behnsen, our society's big-bearded, band interviewing, slice of pecan pie.

VISUAL ARTIST APPLICATIONS

We are currently taking applications from artists wishing to showcase their work. We are looking for art that contains relative elements to ska & reggae music. More details will be provided to those selected for the exhibition. We have limited space, so I apply sooner than later! It's free to apply! Good luck!